The members of The Harlem Art Ensemble formed a supergroup of sorts, a dream team of groove.That's clear from the opening notes of "Keep Talkin'," which opens "Live in New York," a gig recorded in 1990 but released just last year. Dr. Lonnie Smith's Hammond B3 organ notes start rolling out with an earthy soulfulness. Guitarist Jimmy Ponder joins in with some riffs that are as light and pure as Smith's are thick. Add Harold Ousley's funky saxophone and Bruno Carr's exquisite drum fills and you have a soul jazz tune as good as anything that came out of the '60s.
The group's tender rendering of Stevie Wonder's ballad "All in Love is Fair" is a showcase for Ousley. His play, soft and sweet, is especially poignant. Ponder gets his turn to take the spotlight with Wes Montgomery's "Bumpin' on Sunset," which might be my favorite track on the album. Ponder glides through the tune. Other highlights include a soulful version of Horace Silver's "Strollin'" and a bopping reading of Miles Davis' "Four."
The album includes liner notes in several languages, but they weren't really needed. This is soul jazz that needs no translation.
